Among the new releases from A. Lange & Söhne this year, the blue-dialed 1815 34 mm might be the most surprising. Lange has a well-earned reputation for making chunky, complicated watches, but watches like this show the brand has good instincts when it comes to the opposite end of the spectrum and is equally capable of making simple, graceful watches.

Available in 18k white or rose gold, the 1815 34 mm is a not a limited edition, and it is an alternative entry-level model in addition to the Saxonia Thin. Despite its simplicity, the 1815 is equipped with an all-new movement, the L152.1.

Initial thoughts

I’d argue few brands are as committed to understatement as Lange, and this watch is a testament to that. While there’s been an undeniable trend toward smaller, thinner watches in recent years, 34 mm is aggressively small, which makes it a statement of sorts; it’s the polar opposite of the big ostentatious watches that are all-too common. Candidly, a 34 mm watch is not for everyone, but that’s kind of the point.

The key difference between this new 1815 and those we’ve come to know is its diminutive 34 mm case, which makes it the smallest 1815 to-date, matching the diameter of the original Saxonia.

In fact, at just 5.9 mm thick, it’s the smallest watch Lange has ever made. But despite its small size, the new 1815 retains the brand’s signature faceted lugs and brushed case band. The movement fills the case neatly, and even though the case back is slim, it still features the deep engravings for which Lange is known.

Speaking of the movement, it’s new, and happens to be the brand’s 75th manufacture caliber. But even if the L152.1 movement designation is new, it’s a traditional Lange movement through-and-through, beating at 3.5 Hz for 72 hours on a full wind.

Unlike the very similar L093.1 in the Saxonia Thin, the L152.1’s three-quarter plate conceals the ratchet wheel, creating plenty of space to showcase the glorious striping.

The blue dial has also become something of a Lange signature, considered iconic enough to celebrate the Datograph’s 25th birthday last year. Warm and satiny, the blue pairs especially well with rose gold. Moreover, the blue-dial 1815 harks back to one of the earliest Lange models dating all the way back to 1998, the ref. 206.027.

In terms of pricing, exact numbers have yet to be announced but I’d assume it will land around the US$25,000 mark. Value is relative, and for those looking for a dress watch in this size, there’s not a lot out there to cross-shop. In fact, the most likely alternatives are probably small Calatravas like the refs. 3796 and 3919 made by Patek Philippe during the 1980s and 1990s.

Teutonic understatement

For a watch that breaks with convention on sizing and features a new in-house caliber, there’s surprisingly little that’s new about the 34 mm 1815. The case design, dial layout, and construction carry over directly from its larger stablemates, leaving the blue dial and small case to stand out.

That said, it’s simply a beautiful watch, especially in pink gold, which helps bring out the tones of the blue dial. Like most Lange dials, the dial itself is made of sterling silver which has been galvanised to achieve its colour. The dial is paired with a set of alpha-style hands, another Lange signature, made of 18k gold.

The 75th Lange caliber

One of the things I love about Lange is they rarely miss a chance to introduce a new movement. The new L152.1 is the brand’s 75th manufacture caliber since its debut in 1994.

While not groundbreaking in its architecture, it offers all the hallmarks that Lange collectors know and love, from the hand-engraved balance cock to the famous three-quarter plate presentation. Worth noting is the balance spring, which is made in-house; a rarity even in today’s increasingly vertically integrated watch industry.

The spec sheet will look familiar to anyone who follows the brand closely. It’s manually wound, ticks at 3.5 Hz, runs for 72 hours on a full wind, and features hacking seconds.

The movement is exceptionally thin at just 2.9 mm thick, which puts it in a tie with the L093.1 found in the Saxonia Thin as the brand’s thinnest movement ever. But the old L093.1 is 0.7 mm wider in diameter than the new caliber, which measures 28.1 mm.

Interestingly, the movement designation indicates the movement began development in 2015. Given the overall simplicity of the movement, the decade-long gap likely has more to do with the brand’s long-term thinking than anything else.

A. Lange & Söhne 1815
Ref. 220.028 (18k white gold)
Ref. 220.037 (18k pink gold)

Diameter: 34 mm
Height: 6.4 mm
Material: 18k white or pink gold
Crystal: Sapphire
Water-resistance: 30m

Movement: L152.1
Functions: Hours, minutes, and seconds
Winding: Hand-wound
Frequency: 21,600 bph (3 Hz)
Power reserve: 72 hours

Strap: Alligator with matching pin buckle

Limited Edition: No
Availability: At A. Lange & Söhne boutiques and retailers
Price: Upon request

For more, visit alange-soehne.com.